WASHINGTON (AP) — The Council on American Islamic Relations is expressing “horror, disgust and sorrow” at the new video purporting to show the beheading of U.S journalist Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State group.

CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad says no one who believes in the Islamic tradition of peace and justice would kill an innocent noncombatant.

Awad insists there’s nothing Islamic about the Islamic State group, despite its claim to be establishing a Muslim caliphate in Syria and Iraq.

He adds that some young Muslims who have joined the extremist group have been horrified at what they’ve seen, but can be killed themselves if they try to leave.

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